Callegari Files HB 911 Relating To River Basin Water Transfers

[Press Release from State Rep. Bill Callegari (R-Katy)]

In an effort to allow state water planners greater flexibility with Texas’ water resources, State Representative Bill Callegari (Katy) filed House Bill 911 to facilitate the transfer of water from one river basin to another.  As introduced, H.B. 911 would eliminate the legal hurdles to the transfer of water from water-rich areas of Texas to places suffering from drought.

“I believe that the waters of this state should be readily available to the domestic and agricultural communities that need them,” said Representative Callegari.  “The way our law is written now works against this.  My bill attempts to change the law to allow for the more strategic, and wiser use of our water resources.”

With limited exceptions, current law limits the transfer of water between river basins.  For example, although the of Harris County water planning area includes three separate river basins, state law prevents the transfer of water between those rivers.  This problem is compounded by the fact that while one river basin is projected to have a water surplus, the other two basins anticipate increasing water demands as their surrounding communities continue to grow.  Other major metropolitan areas, including San Antonio and Dallas-Forth Worth, face similar challenges under existing law.

Representative Callegari’s bill removes many of the barriers to the transfer of water between river basins, including the junior water rights provision.  In addition, H.B. 911 removes several other cumbersome requirements for applications for an inter-basin transfer while authorizing certain exemptions from statutory requirements.

Representative Callegari explained, “I firmly believe that Texas law should be amended to permit for the more efficient, effective use of our water resources.  I should also add that I am interested in streamlining our permitting and regulatory processes to a point where unnecessary burdens and meaningless hurdles are removed.  My bill accomplishes these objectives by streamlining the law to allow for the wiser use of the state’s water, particularly during times of drought.”

In its 2007 State Water Plan, the Texas Water Development Board identified the need for inter-basin water transfers as a key component to the state’s future water supply strategies.  In light of this finding, the Board recommended that the legislature eliminate unreasonable restrictions on the transfer of water from one basin to another.

“It makes sense to me, from a water strategy standpoint, to be able to transfer water from saturated areas of this state to those places enduring a drought,” said Representative Callegari.  “If we don’t do this, then I would not be surprised if certain parts of this state turned to Louisiana or Oklahoma to help serve their growing thirsts.”

Before serving in the Legislature in 2001, Representative Callegari spent over 30 years in the field as a water engineer.  During his legislative career he has worked on key water issues relating to municipal utility districts and water utilities.  In addition to H.B. 911, Representative Callegari is working on legislation for this session addressing the legality of water re-use in Texas.